Ornithologist, botanist and pioneer in exploring west of the Mississippi, he attracted the attention of Thomas Nuttall, who encouraged and guided him.
When little more than 21, he undertook an ornithological and botanical trip across the continent at Nuttall's instigation exploring northern New Mexico, Santa Fé to the Colorado River, Mexico and southern California. He sent bird specimens from California to Nuttall who published an account of Gambel's travels. Returning to Philadelphia he received his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania. Later, he accompanied a party organized by Isaac J. Wistar to go to the California gold-fields. Halfway there he transferred to another party under Captain Boone of Kentucky which needed a physician. With most of the second party he perished in the mountains.

He was an active member of the Academy and was a candidate for Curator in 1847 but was defeated by J. Leidy, whose cause John Cassin favored. However he was an officer between 1845 and 49.

The collection is composed of seven articles, published in the Academy's Proceedings and biographical material.